Local Business and Commerce Grants

This fund provides one-time financial support to diverse small businesses in Oakland that are facing economic challenges, particularly those owned by marginalized communities, to help them become more resilient and prepare for future growth.

This grant provides financial support and resources to innovative early-stage technology startups in Fairfax County, Virginia, particularly those led by underrepresented founders, to help them grow and attract future investments.

This program provides financial support to businesses opening or expanding in Takoma Park, helping cover costs for improvements, fit-outs, or lease subsidies.

The City of Marysville in Washington is inviting applications for its 2025 Tourism Grant Program, aimed at boosting tourism and promoting overnight stays through events and projects such as sports, conferences, trade shows, festivals, and arts, open to non-profit entities like historical societies, art groups, and museums that can demonstrate their ability to execute the proposed project.

This program provides funding to tourism and hospitality businesses in Bucks County to support initiatives that attract visitors and enhance the local economy.

San Juan County in Washington is offering a Lodging Tax Grant Program in 2024, inviting proposals for projects aimed at enhancing tourism through facility development, event organization, and operations that align with the county's LTAC Tourism Master Plan.

The City of Elizabethton in Tennessee is offering a Façade Improvement Grant Program, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, to local businesses for downtown building improvements, aiming to boost commercial sales, enhance marketability, and attract new businesses and shoppers to the area.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Local Community Impact Grant. Donor Name: Town of Perryville State: Maryland County: Cecil County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Town of Perryville has established a flexible fund that is available for not-for-profit organizations to address unmet needs for the area in the Town of Perryville. Eligibility Criteria  Funds requested through this application are limited to not-for-profit entities that have a place of business within corporate limits or provide a public service to the citizens of the Town of Perryville for specific purposes as defined in the application. Not-for-profit entities must be a 501 (c) entity and must be in good standing with the Town of Perryville, Cecil County and the State of Maryland. All funding is contingent upon the availability of Impact Grant funding from the State of Maryland. For more information, visit Town of Perryville.

The City of West Park is offering a “Mom and Pop” Small Business Grant to qualified businesses located in the City. Donor Name: City of West Park State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligibility Criteria  All businesses must meet the following criteria in order to qualify: All applying businesses must be located within the City of West Park Any business that was awarded through the “Mom and Pop” Small Business Grant shall not be eligible to re-apply for funding for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the award; Business owner shall provide a photocopy of your active State of Florida Corporation and/or Fictitious Name; a FEIN # must be listed on your State of Florida Business cannot be a part of a national chain; Business owner may not have no more than two (2) active businesses; Home-based businesses may apply (ONLY for inventory/supplies, business equipment and marketing/advertising). A business owner can only submit one application per funding cycle. Non-profit agencies are not eligible. The gross income for eligibility must be $250,000.00 or less. For more information, visit City of West Park.

The Summit County is accepting applications from non-profit entities for fiscal year 2025 grant funding. Donor Name: Summit County State: Utah County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Summit County provides annual grants to local non-profit and governmental entities based off revenue from specific sales tax initiatives. These grants help fund various projects that aim to improve the quality of life for residents as well as expand tourist interest and investment in the County. For more information, visit Summit County.

This grant supports the purchase of new, more efficient equipment to enhance business operations in Goshen County. It focuses on helping businesses become more productive and competitive by upgrading their operational tools. Technology upgrades and deferred maintenance are not eligible. Applicants must seek multiple bids, preferably from local contractors. Deadlines: Applications due first Friday of November, February, May, August

Supports Goshen County businesses in making structural enhancements or expansions such as new construction or renovations, aimed at increasing economic activity and market expansion. Excludes roofing and HVAC projects. Applicants must demonstrate the economic development merit of the project through detailed applications and multiple bids, with a preference for local contractors. Deadlines: Applications due first Friday of November, February, May, August

On March 26, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) jointly announced the launch of a Promise Act grant opportunity tailored for business owners in northeastern Minnesota. Pat Campanaro, serving as the Cook County consultant for the Northland SBDC, expressed her pride and happiness regarding the collaboration between the EDA and SBDC. The competitive Promise Act grant initiative, sanctioned during the 2023 legislative session, aims to extend assistance to businesses and communities grappling with economic adversity induced by the pandemic. The Northland SBDC has allocated $1.1 million in grants for eligible small businesses and certain nonprofits in northeast Minnesota. The grant application criteria for businesses are delineated as follows: Grants are accessible to currently operating businesses with gross annual revenues ranging from $10,000 to $750,000, as substantiated by their 2021 and 2022 tax returns or Forms 990. Grant amounts will be determined based on 2022 revenues, with the following tiers: Revenues of at least $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000 may qualify for a $10,000 grant. Revenues ranging from at least $100,000 to $350,000 may merit a $25,000 grant. Revenues between $350,000 and $750,000 may be eligible for a $50,000 grant. Preference will be given to applicants who did not receive substantial COVID-19 relief funding exceeding $10,000 from the State of Minnesota. Additionally, according to the Northland Foundation, nonprofit organizations may apply, provided they derive 30 percent or more of their revenue through non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model. Grant applications opened on March 26 and will be accepted until May 21. The application form for the Promise Act grant program can be accessed through the provided link. To facilitate the application process and address queries, Campanaro and Theresa Bajda, the executive director of the EDA, announced weekly open office hours at the EDA office in Grand Marais, located at 425 W Hwy 61, Suite B. Bajda mentioned the availability of morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to accommodate diverse schedules. Interested individuals can find the scheduled office hours by contacting 218-387-3112 or reaching out to Campanaro via email at [email protected]. Campanaro emphasized their shared goal of fostering economic opportunity in Cook County and expressed satisfaction in collaborating with Bajda to advance this objective and inform businesses about available services that can positively impact their opportunities for growth. WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins conducted an interview with Pat Campanaro, the Cook County Northland SBDC consultant, and Theresa Bajda, the executive director of the EDA, discussing the Promise Act grant opportunity. The audio recording of the interview is accessible below.

This program provides financial assistance to new small businesses in Evanston, helping them cover essential operating costs and equipment expenses to foster job creation and sustainability.

The North Killeen Downtown Start-up Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act through the City of Killeen, Texas, offers support to entrepreneurs looking to establish or grow businesses in the North Killeen and Historic Downtown Area. The program aims to enhance community resilience and increase economic prospects in areas that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act acknowledges the pre-existing economic disparities experienced by certain communities and families that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are encouraged to be used to reduce these disparities and create stronger neighborhoods in certain Qualified Census Tracts. North Killeen and the Historic Downtown are located within Qualified Census Tracts.

This program provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 to for-profit businesses in New Castle that have been impacted by COVID-19, specifically those with annual revenues under $1 million and that support low or moderate-income individuals.

The City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development (OED) is offering a business assistance program to existing City-based businesses. The ACE Program serves both new and existing businesses. New businesses, less than six months, may apply for $500 grants and existing businesses, more than six months, may apply for $1,500 grants. Eligible businesses may apply for one-time grant funding that will directly lead to increasing business revenue through acquiring new equipment, products, or services. Business owners are encouraged to apply for equipment, marketing/advertising, or technical assistance that will directly lead to increased business revenue. If you would like to be notified when the application period is active please contact the Business Development Manager at 434-970-3110. The ACE Program is targeted towards existing businesses with the immediate potential to increase revenue and business opportunities. To be eligible for the program, business owners must not exceed certain income limits based on household size. The ACE Program is a competitive grant process that serves business owners who emphasize organization, initiative, and the dedication to make their business a success. Initial funding for this program was provided from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Additional funding from the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority has allowed the program to be expanded.

City of Tehachapi Small Business Sign Grant Program (California) is offering grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to assist small businesses in the City with installing or improving their signs. The program aims to eliminate blight, encourage economic development, and enhance properties within the City’s commercial districts. Priority funding will be given to projects that align with the City Design Guidelines. The grant includes reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible sign costs, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $3,000. Recipients are required to maintain the building sign for a three-year term. Eligible applicants include owners and tenants of small businesses or commercial properties within the City of Tehachapi.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Burien, Washington, to help them recover from the pandemic's economic impacts by funding storefront repairs and improvements.

City of New Bedford Enhanced Facade Improvement Program in Massachusetts offers a Facade Grant to owners and tenants of commercial properties to enhance or restore the original character of their buildings. The program aims to facilitate commercial revitalization, stimulate private investment, preserve and beautify New Bedford’s Commercial Districts, and create a pleasant walking environment. The objective is to assist in substantially beautifying the entire facade or elevation of a commercial building while promoting retail activities, encouraging neighborhood character and architectural design, and using quality materials with good design concepts. Applications prepared by tenants must be signed and submitted by the building owner.